NELSONVILLE — Phase Three of the U.S. 33 Nelsonville bypass, the largest stimulus project in Ohio, will go out for bid on July 22.

Phase three is estimated to be around $100 million. Phase Two is set to go out for bid the beginning of August. Phase Three will begin near Doanville and focus on constructing 3.87 miles of a new four-lane highway. Also included in Phase three is the construction of the US 33/Ohio 78/Ohio 691 interchange.

The project will re-route Ohio 78 1.63 miles through the Happy Hollow area to form the interchange. When completed, the bypass will be 8.5 miles long.

“The investment in the Nelsonville bypass will have the greatest local, regional, and multi-state economic impact than any other transportation project in District Ten,” said Larry Woodford, ODOT District 10 Deputy Director. “Furthermore, the bypass will provide a safe connection to other major routes throughout our district and make travel easier to Appalachia and its unique destinations.”

The U.S. 33 Corridor is a designated National Highway System route that extends from Michigan to Virginia. US 33 carries a substantial amount of interstate traffic between cities such as South Bend and Fort Wayne, Ind., Columbus, and Charleston, W.Va.

As part of the $774 million transportation stimulus funds, Phase Two and Three of the Nelsonville Bypass received $150 million total from the American Recovery and Reinvestment Act.